Machine for keeping count of games of dominoes.



Patented Feb, I3, |900.

No. 643,5l5.

J. W. MARLER.

MACHINE FUR KEEPING COUNT 0F GAMES 0F DOMINOES.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1599.)

2 Sheets-Sheet No Model.)

mfc-nomme PETERS No. 643,5I5. l Patented Feb. I3, |900.

J. W. MABLER.

MACHINE FUR KEEPING COUNT 0F GAMES 0F DOMINOES.

{Applicatrm led Apr. 3, 1899.)

2 Sheeis-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

mimmo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACK WV. MARLER, OF VERNON, TEXAS.

MACHINE FOR KEEPING COUNT OF GAMES OF DOMINOES'.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,515, dated February 13, 1906.

Application filed April 3, 1899. Serial No. 711,563. (No model.)

To f1/ZZ wir/0711, it 11mg/ concern/.-

Beit known that I, JACK W. MAELEE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Vernon, in the county of Vilbarger and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Keeping Count of Games of Dominoes, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to improvements in a machine for keeping count of a game of dominoes, all of which will be fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a perspective view of a counter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View at right angles to Fig. '2. Fig. tis a detached perspective view of the actuating-wheel and its counting-disk. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the smaller counting-disk and shaft to which they are rigidly attached.

This invention is adapted especially to rest upon the table upon which the game is being played or other adjacent support and is provided with a base A for that purpose. The machine is secured to this base, and the frame of the machine Consists of the parallel vertical plates B, which are spaced by the corner-posts O and held to the said posts bymeans of the said screws D. These plates B are each provided at directly-opposite corners with the upper small openings E and the larger lower openings E. A shaft F is journaled just below the center' portion of the plate and extends from one to the other, and this shaft is provided near its ends with two outwardlydisposed cup-shaped disks G. These disks G contain cards H, which are numbered, respec- 6577 (C1037, 15,77H2077 25,77 ((30777 35, 40, 45,and 0. These numbers are adapted to rotate across the openings in the plates B and to be exposed therethrough. The shaft F is provided with a ratchet-wheel I, secured rigidly thereto at a point intermediate its ends and between the two cup-shaped disks.

Journaled above the shaft F in the upper portion of the plates B is a second shaft J, which carries outwardly-disposed cup-shaped disks K, considerably smaller than the cupshaped disks upon the shaft F. These disks are rigidly secured to the shaft J, and one of the disks is provided with inwardly-projecting pins L for a purpose to be presently described.

An operating-lever M extends through one .to engage the said ratchet-wheel when the lever is depressed. When the lever is depressed, the said pawl will engage one tooth of the ratchet-wheel and cause the shaft F, and consequently the outturned cup-shaped disks, to revolve therewith. This ratchetwheel I is provided with a tooth for each of the gures carried by the disks, and as there are ten figures there are ten teeth in the ratchet-wheel.

For the purpose of sounding an alarm each time the lever is depressed (which enables one opponent to follow the count of the other to see that it is correct) I provide the base A, at the center of its under side, with a recess R, in which is suspended a bell S. The stem T of this bell passes through a bracket a, which is connected with one of the plates B, and this bracket suspends the bell within the recess, but out of engagement with its walls. A lever c has one end pivoted at one side of the plates B and preferably just under the pivotal point of the operating-lever. The inner and free end of this lever is held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, as illustrated, by means of a spring d, having one end riveted or otherwise attached to the pivotal point of the lever and its opposite end held by a pine, projecting from one of the plates B. A clapper-arm f has one end attached to the lever O, intermediate its length, and the other end provided with a clapper g, near the bell. At each movement of the ratchet-wheel the lever C is raised and forced down by the spring d, thus forcing the arm f down and causing the clapper g to strike the bell, and this enables one opponent to keep a watch upon the other in the counting of the game. i

ICO

2O small disks opposite the openings in the cas- The cup-shaped disks carried by the upper shaft are also provided with cards bearing numbersl, 2,3, 4,and0,asillus trated, and these numerals pass before the opening E and are exhibited therethrough. That large disk adjacent the upper disli,which carries the said pin, is provided with a projecting arm h, which is adapted to engage these pins at each revolution of the shaft F, whereby when the shaft F and the large counting-disk have made one revolution the upper disk is rotated one stop or pin, which moves it from one number to the succeeding one.

The game of dominees is two hundred and iifty, and the large disk at each revolution counts fifty, tive at each movement of the operating-lever. \Vhen the large disk therefore has revolved five times, the upper disk has made one revolution, and this will bring the O of the large disks and the O of the ing and exhibit a 0 in each. For instance, in the beginning of the game the wheels are set with the O7 opposite the openings, and when the large disks have made one revolution there will then be exhibited through the upper opening the numeral l and through the lower opening the numeral O, which indicates that one fifty has been counted. This operation is repeated until the disks again show the two Os through the openings, when a player has counted two hundred and fifty, which represents the game of dominoes.

To prevent the disks from having any momentum as they are'operated, the edges of the cup-shaped disks engage the inner surfaces of the plates B and are held under tension or frictional cont-act therewith, and the cup-shaped disks enable the cards carrying the numbers to be out of contact with the inner surfaces of the plates and not subjected to wear. It will of course be understood that instead of having cards in the cup-shaped disks enamel may be contained therein and the numbers made therein or thereon; but in this instance the enamel or other material, whatever it may be, will be at a point inside of the edges of the disks, whereby it is out of engagement with the inner surfaces of the plates and therefore not subjected to wear, which would eut away the numerals, as will be readily understood.

rlhe case consisting of the plates B and the end and top walls is held to the base A by means of the screws t, which pass through the base and into the lower corner-posts, as illustrated.

A machine as above constructed is simple,

f cheap, and enables the players of a game of a shaft journaled therebetween and carrying counting-disks at each end adjacent the frame, a second shaft carrying similar disks operated by the rst disks, a ratchet-wheel on the first-named shaft, an operating-lever pivoted at one side of the ratchet-wheel and having a stop intermediate its length, an L-shaped pawl adjacent said stop, a spring attached to the pivot of the lever and engaging the end of the pawl, a bell below said ratchet and a spring-pressed lever having the free end resting on the ratchet and having intermediate its length a clapper-arm carrying a clapper, substantially as described.

2. A counter for the purpose described comprising counting-disks cup-shaped in crosssection and outwardly disposed, plates between which the disks are supported, the edges of the disks engaging frictionally the inner walls of the plates and the centers of the disks carrying numerals lin a plane inside of the edges thereof, and an operating mechanism therefor, substantially as described.

3. A counter comprising two shafts carrying numeral-disks at each end, a frame having openings in each side to register with the numerals on the disks, a ratchet on one of said shafts, a lever pivoted to the frame at one side of the shaft carrying the ratchet, a spring-pressed pawl intermediate its length resting on the ratchet, a bell below said shaft, a lever pivoted below and on the same side of the frame as the operating-lever and having its free end resting on the opposite side of the ratchet-wheel from the pawl and a clapper-arm attached thereto carrying a clapper to engage the bell, substantially as described.

4. In acounter, the combination with counting-disks, a ratchet-wheel on the shaft of one of said disks, an operating-lever carryinga pawl intermediate its length and a bell, 0f a lever pivoted at one side of said ratchet and having its free end resting thereon, a spring IIO attached to the pivot of said lever and the free end engaging a stop, and an arm carrying a clapper intermediately attached to said lever, substantially as described.

5. In a coun ter, the combination wi th counting-disks, a ratchet-wheel on the shaft of said disks, of a lever pivoted at one side of the ratchet-wheel, and having a stop intermediate its length, an L-shaped pawl adjacent said stop, a spring attached to the pivot of the lever and engaging one end of the pawl, a bell below said ratchet, a spring-pressed lever y.pivoted at one side of the ratchet and having its free end resting on the ratchet and an arm carrying a clapper intermediately attached to the said lever, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACK NV. MAKLER. Witnesses:

J. C. I'IANEY, J. V. TowNsENn. 

